A WOMAN is believed to have dropped a cardboard box containing a suspected explosive device at a tip in Shripney moments before it was found, causing panic.

A shocked skip worker uncovered the missile-shaped object while he was emptying a box of bric-a-brac into the bin for household waste.

Live shell found in a skip in Shripney Tip, controlled explosion carried out by bomb squad. SUS-151105-165927001

On making the discovery, the member of staff alerted his bosses, who put emergency plans in place and called out police and the bomb squad, who then carried out a controlled explosion on site.

The tip and neighbouring businesses on the Arun Bussiness Park had to evacuate the area while the device was detonated yesterday, Monday May 11.

Viridor runs the tip and in a statement, a spokesman said: “Viridor confirmed that a controlled explosion took place at its Bognor Regis HWRS yesterday after a suspicious device was found in a cardboard box of bric-a-brac.

“A member of staff handled the device when emptying the box into the household waste ‘residual’ bin.

“Upon realising that it was a potentially dangerous item they immediately initiated health and safety procedures and unit emergency plans were put in place.

“Police set up 100mtr exclusion zone around the site and Royal Logistics Corp arrived and assessed the device.

“A controlled explosion happened at 3.32pm.

“The device was believed to have been delivered by a female member of public just some minutes before being found.”

Experts on the scene confirmed the device was a live fin-stabilized artillery shell, a modern shell which contains explosives and is fired out of large cannons for long-range targets.

How the woman came to own the striking modern war piece of artillery, or why she left it at the tip, remains a mystery.

If you were the woman or know who left it at the tip, email stephen.pickthall@jpress.co.uk